4200 on Pistonheads

rockits

Member
Messages
9,167
I tend to take reviews and other opinions with a pinch of salt as they are always going to be subjective.

For me it all falls into that pot of information and I'll make my own decision.

I don't think the 4200 has ever been a bad car even from the very first earliest examples. For me its lack of German Teutonic ability is half the reason why I like it so much.

IMHO Top Gear got it wrong. It is not all about lap times and perfect performance. Character, uniqueness, desirability and many other factors are much more important to me. That the prices are much lower is to all our uninformed benefits. Win win
 

DaveT

Member
Messages
2,830
Top Gear Review killed some desirability of the 4200. I remember when I was buying my e92 m3 4 years ago watching the 4200 review and looking between the Gransport & e92 m3 instead.

top gear 4200 review
https://topgear.nl/video/s01-e08-c01-maserati-coup-cambiocorsa/
Top Gear never influenced any of my buying decisions. Understand it did with other people.

Entertainment, but not a credible car review show especially in its later years and especially with that **** Clarkson.
 

Nibby

Member
Messages
2,027
Top Gear never influenced any of my buying decisions. Understand it did with other people.

Entertainment, but not a credible car review show especially in its later years and especially with that **** Clarkson.
Totally agree
 

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
Messages
9,033
Clarkson didn't like it and that was that.
We all know starting it automatically puts itself into neutral when turning the key if left in gear, but he makes a big thing about it.
The lap with the Stig, in atrocious wet weather, he wasn't spinning it at every corner like Clarkson was in the dry.
 

rockits

Member
Messages
9,167
Clarkson is a t1t as we all know. I agree Mike about all those silly things they get wrong....badly wrong. They should be sued really as they are so factually wrong.

We all know the car will start in gear just turn the key for longer as you say. Most cars need a clutch or brake pressed to start so no different there.

The quip about gearbox and suspension settings is stupid. It has a sport button on or off.....that is it. That is not 4 settings for the gearbox and 4 for the suspension.

Wonder what he said when he got in the E60 M5! Now that has a lot of settings. From memory 5 each for the gearbox, engine and suspension separate from each other.

It is too wallowy the suspension IMHO and the rise too hard. I get and find that so have to agree. The rest is cr4p....it is a fine car.

It is not an out an out sports cars, it is not a track car so don't see how you can mark it down for not being so good in these areas. It is a great GT car with 4 decent seats and a good boot. A track weapon or sports car it isn't....but never was designed to be.

Don't review a paddle shift gearbox and say it's cr4p if you fundamentally don't like them. Review the manual then. Yes the shifts need a style of driving at low revs or low speed but all single clutches do of that ilk. He doesn't say the gearbox is fantastically fast at full chat at highs revs (which it is) does he?!

My mini rant over......but Clarkson is still a kn0b.
 

TimR

Member
Messages
2,656
Journos, and the media circus..
Didnt fifth gear just commission the ( extremely irritating ) VBH to review a car she slated the first time she drove it. So what, she can slam it a second time ?
Stinks of scraping the bottom of the proverbial barrel. The problems start when these clowns start believing their own hype...in my opinion..! ;)
 

philw696

Member
Messages
25,119
A 4200 is probably one of the Best proper 4 seat GT cars that can do long distance tours effortlessly.
I took my first to the Italian Lakes 4 up two teenage lads in the back 2,100 miles in 7 days.
For me was also Great Fun on track with the forum.
A good all rounder for me.
 

Phil H

Member
Messages
4,107
I think we have to accept that first and foremost Clarkson and his buddies are entertainers, and if some serious automotive journalism creeps in along the way then that's a bonus. I actually like the guy, but can never take him too seriously.

PH
 

Lozzer

Member
Messages
2,280
I think we have to accept that first and foremost Clarkson and his buddies are entertainers, and if some serious automotive journalism creeps in along the way then that's a bonus. I actually like the guy, but can never take him too seriously.

PH
I kind of agree with that. Excuse the language :)
 

TimR

Member
Messages
2,656
He talks so much sh1t3, I wonder when he finds time to stuff his face to get that fat...!
:bart_simpson-226:
 

Vampyrebat

Member
Messages
3,117
Anyone wanting a manual car is sh1t out of luck then...!
Tim, I think the manuals will hold their own price wise as never much choice on the market at anytime and there will always be people like you and I on the hunt look for one. People are picking up on this cause when you see one for sale the seller always makes a big point about saying how rare they are in their add.
 
Messages
291
Tim, I think the manuals will hold their own price wise as never much choice on the market at anytime and there will always be people like you and I on the hunt look for one. People are picking up on this cause when you see one for sale the seller always makes a big point about saying how rare they are in their add.
Manuals currently pretty much a similar price to cc, but they might move. Only thing holding it back is the GS which is considered a better car overall.
 

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TimR

Member
Messages
2,656
Yeah, so screw purchase value for a moment. I over paid for mine...And ?
The point here is that if you want a manual, you're screwed after the facelift 4200 ceased production. The choices are fewer and further between... Which makes them less desirable as I see it.
Shrugs and starts looking at German sports cars...